In an effort to end the stigma around mental disability, a group of people bravely shared their stories of mental health challenges during a storytelling and poetry event at the Observatory Recreation Hall on Thursday 21 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event titled \u201cIn my own words\u201d, was organised by Cape Mental Health\u2019s psychosocial rehabilitation programme and saw people with a lived experience of a psychosocial disability take the microphone and, through the power of self-advocacy, help break down the stigma associated with mental illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The campaign hopes to build resilience, understanding and acceptance for people who are living with non-visible mental health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This comes in the wake of Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month commemorated in July. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organisation ran a series of activities during the month to encourage self-advocacy among its service users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cape Mental Health has been at the forefront of supporting self-advocacy groups in the province. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They helped to establish the Cape Consumer Advocacy Body (CCAB) in the 1980s when mental health laws and policies were changing in South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCAB is an advocacy group for people with a psychosocial disability who want to speak out about their rights and the issues they face as mental health care service users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barbara Meyer, Cape Mental Health communications officer, says their awareness campaign enables people with lived experience of a psychosocial disability to express themselves through radio interviews, videos, storytelling, poetry and art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She explains that the theme of this year\u2019s campaign was chosen by the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) in conjunction with Cape Mental Health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
People in attendance were also treated to an arts and crafts exhibition where the work of the clients was showcased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meyer says inaccurate or misleading media representations of people living with a psychosocial disability contribute to misperceptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClients called for more awareness about mental health matters, an end to stigma and to encourage more inclusion, acceptance, support and opportunities from their families, community and the government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut it also requires a lot of courage and self-awareness to be able to verbalise their vulnerability and mental health needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meyer explains that self-advocacy is empowering for people living with a psychosocial disability as it gives them the chance to promote and support their own interests and well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She says they offer support to some clients for many years, depending on the support required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In preparation for the event, the organisation supported clients during interviews to ensure that they can tell their stories authentically without being victimised or misrepresented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clement Apollis (35) explains that his journey with mental health challenges started two years ago when he collapsed in his parents\u2019 home in Mitchell\u2019s Plain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was rushed to hospital and the doctors said I have a brain haemorrhage when they started with surgery, I had a stroke in the hospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was discharged and woke up in my parents\u2019 bedroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wanted to use the bathroom and collapsed again. I didn\u2019t know that I had a stroke.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explains that soon after that, his dad was diagnosed with cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI felt depressed and frustrated because there was nothing that I could do about it. I started isolating myself. I didn\u2019t want to speak to others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was advised to attend sessions at Fountain House Mitchell\u2019s Plain, a community-based psycho-social rehabilitation centre that provides vocational training and skills development to people living with a psycho-social disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter attending a few sessions, I told them that I would like to continue. There were other people there too with psychosocial disabilities and they were on the recovery road and making the most out of their lives and I wanted the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explains that since attending the sessions, he felt at home and no longer feels like isolating himself from everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have fun and I can smile again; I can laugh and I can interact socially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apollis says currently his focus is on his journey to recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also shares an encouraging message with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBe careful who you associate yourself with, empower yourself and build a strong mindset and always hope for a better tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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